Acta Parasitologica, Vol. 52, No. 3, 2007, 219–224. DOI: 10.2478/s11686-007-0037-9 Yann Quilichini*, Joséphine Foata, Cheikh Tidiane Bâ and Bernard Marchand –
Ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Calliobothrium verticillatum (Cestoda, Tetraphyllidea, Oncobothriidae)
Laboratory "Parasites and Mediterranean Ecosystems", Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Corsica, F-20250 Corte, France
*Corresponding author: quilichini@univ-corse.fr
ABSTRACT
The ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Calliobothrium verticillatum (Cestoda, Tetraphyllidea, Oncobothriidae), parasite of
the smoothhound shark, Mustelus mustelus L. (Pisces, Carcharhiniformes), was studied by transmission electron microscopy.
This spermatozoon presents five regions characterized by several ultrastructural elements: an apical cone, a crested body, two
axonemes of 9 + "1" pattern, electron-dense granules, a nucleus and cortical microtubules. In the present study, three of these
features were the subject of a detailed attention. The first is the presence of two axonemes, which confirms that the
Tetraphyllidea, Oncobothriidae possess two axonemes whereas the Tetraphyllidea, Phyllobothriidae possess only one axoneme.
The second is the presence of one crested body, a criterion homogeneous in the Tetraphyllidea but heterogeneous among the different
orders of Cestoda. The third is the number and the disposition of cortical microtubules. These three criteria seem to be
interesting for phylogeny.
KEY WORDS:
Cestoda, Tetraphyllidea, Oncobothriidae, Calliobothrium verticillatum, spermatozoon, ultrastructure, fish, Mustelus mustelus